NYS Music 202​2

Category: Regions

  • In Focus: Chevelle Performs at Opening Day of the New York State Fair

    On August 24, the New York State Fair opened its gates up for the annual fair that runs through Labor Day. Many come from all over the state and even out of state to Syracuse for the food, the exhibits and rides, but plenty come to Central New York for State Fair music acts at Chevy Park and Chevy Court, including opening day act, Chevelle.

    chevelle state fair

    At the State Fair, there is plenty to do, see, and even eat, especially those deep fried Oreos but one event that attracts so many, is the free concerts that take place at Chevy Park. A while back, the fair had grandstands but eventually removed them in place of an open field with a few bleachers in front of the stage. On the opening day of the State Fair, the band to close out the night was a very well known rock band, Chevelle. They played for over an hour and played a wide variety of hits from many of their albums. 

    chevelle state fair

    After the band’s performance, an opening day special, fireworks for the end of the night, which could be seen throughout the fairgrounds. There are still many other performances lined up, along with other events. The State Fair’s last day is on Labor Day, September 5th.

    chevelle state fair
    chevelle state fair
    chevelle state fair

  • Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival Announces 2022 Lineup

    The Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival will return for its 20th annual celebration on Saturday, September 10 at Jennings Landing. First run in 2002, the free-to-the-public event starts at noon and closes at 8pm, with the five-act day being wrapped up by a fireworks display.

    Albany Riverfront Jazz Festival
    Albany Riverfront Jazz Promotional Poster.

    Opening up the day’s music will be the Teresa Broadwell Quintet from 12:30pm to 1:30. Led by fiddler Teresa Broadwell, the Albany swing and jazz collective also includes saxophonist Leon Russo, guitarist Mike Novakowski, bassist Peter Toigo, and drummer Cliff Brucker.

    Following is Charged Particles, performing from 2 to 3. The Latin-jazz oriented group is comprised of keyboardist Murray Low, bassist Aaron Germain, and drummer Jon Krosnick.

    Next on the schedule is Black Tie Brass from 3:30 to 4:30, a NYC-based horn driven jazz/funk group. Founded in 2013, the band draws on genres such as pop, R&B, hip-hop, and more in guiding their sound.

    Act number four is Samara Joy, a 22-year-old singer from the Bronx on stage from 5 to 6. A Verve Records artist, her young career has already been impressively marked by multiple appearances on the TODAY show and a TikTok page with over 100 thousand followers.

    To close out the night will be the headlining Soul Rebels, performing from 6:30 until the festival’s end. Big name collaborations of theirs include Katy Perry, Nas, Metallica, Big Freedia, G-Eazy, and the Wu-Tang Clan.

    Food and beverage vendors will be available on site, and more information can be found on albanyevents.org

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smyisrV4Kks

  • Tim Eletto Drops New Single “For a Second”

    Long Island singer/rapper Tim Eletto has released his fifth 2022 single “For a Second,” an ode to positivity and personal honesty while dealing with anxiety and depression.

    It’s a bright and poppy song that reflects the Hofstra University student’s life experience through the construction of two conversations with fictional people across the song’s pair of verses. “I took all of the patterns that I see in people that struggle with this stuff (mental illness) and combined them to make two characters that I think everyone is very familiar with,” says Eletto of “For a Second.”

    Tim eletto
    Artwork in promotion of the single.

    Citing AJR has a major influence, Eletto’s musings about his emotional ups and downs are cast over a light piano melody that keeps the song feeling hopeful even when he drops his moodier lines in the track. The highlight of “For a Second” though is the chorus with its very catchy melody. “I been in the left lane with my eyes closed, ’cause life is too fast but I see it too slow,” he sings.

    Eletto’s other four singles released this year also can be found on Spotify.

    In this song, Tim Eletto has no qualms about letting the listener see his full self. His lyrics are straightforward, his melody is optimistic, and the track’s themes are genuine and personal. “For a Second” is a successful exercise in using music as a therapeutic outlet.

  • Sweats Release “Lose My Mind” Off of Upcoming Album

    On Aug. 26, rock band Sweats released their latest single, “Lose My Mind,” off of their forthcoming album, I End Where You Begin, due for release in the coming weeks.

    the sweats

    Different in theme from their previous single release earlier this summer, Sweats grapples with a sense of anger at the state of America today. Of the track, the band shares, “the song is born to a nation where patriotism has become pantomime and division dominates compromise.”

    The political stance of the single is clear to listeners of “Lose My Mind.” With intense rock instrumentation, the emotional turmoil of the track envelops you. Electric guitar riffs, upbeat percussion, and vocals from Travis Durfee along with lyrics pull you in.

    Durfee passionately sings, “He’s got an open carry and closed mind / He’s at the rally / He’s feeling fine.” The lyricism paints a vivid message true to the theme of the song. The single also varies in sound and creative choices on vocals and synth to keep audiences guessing at what may be next.

    From the Finger Lakes region, Sweats consists of Travis Durfee (vocals, guitar), JM Sincock (drums), Rob Kurcoba (bass), Tony DeLuca (keys), and Nick D’Aloisio (guitar). The band channeled the ethos of Rage Against the Machine and Queens of the Stone Age for “Lose My Mind” which was produced in collaboration with Mike Capporizzo of Pyramid Sound in Ithaca. 

    “Lose My Mind,” as the newest release from the Sweats, is a must-listen. The track is available now on all streaming services. The upcoming album, I End Where You Begin, is also available for pre-order here.

  • Lynyrd Skynyrd rocks the house at Seneca Niagara Casino

    Saturday, August 27th brought the legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd to Seneca Niagara Casino In Niagara Falls. To note, the only original member of the band is Gary Rossington who plays guitar, but he was recovering from heart surgery so he was unable to play.

    Lynyrd Skynyrd is a rock band formed in Jacksonville, Florida in 1969. The band rose to fame in the 70s with five studio albums and one live album but their career was abruptly halted in 1977 when their chartered airplane crashed, killing three band members and seriously injuring the rest. They reformed in 1987 with their former singer’s brother Johnny Van Zant as singer. They were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2006 and have sold more than 28 million records in the USA.

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    The show started off with AC/DC’s thunderstruck with a video montage of the band on the large stage screens. Once the whole band walked on the stage the fans went screaming loudly and all stood from their seats with applause. Lynyrd Skynyrd opened their set with “Workin for MCA”. They usually open most shows with this song so fans kind of expect it now.

    photo credit- Mike Miller

    Some other notable songs in their set (all the fan favorites) were “What’s Your Name,” “That Smell,” “Mississippi Kid”, “Sweet Home Alabama” and of course, “Free Bird” as their encore. This is the only band that you can yell out “Free Bird” and be guaranteed that they will play it and not look at you crazy as it is their most famous song.

    photo credit- Mike Miller


    Setlist: Workin’ for MCA, What’s Your Name, You Got That Right, The Needle and the Spoon, Whiskey Rock-a-Roller, That Smell, Cry for the Bad Man, Saturday Night Special, Tuesday’s Gone, Mississippi Kid, Red White & Blue, Simple Man, Gimme Three Steps, Call Me the Breeze, Sweet Home Alabama, Free Bird

  • In Focus: Chris Stapleton Brings Late Summer Tour To SPAC

    American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and record producer, Chris Stapleton entertained some 20,000 fans at Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) on Friday, August 26. Supporting tour acts included Morgan Wade and Elle King.

    Setlist: Nobody to Blame, Parachute, Second One to Know, Starting Over, Millionaire (Kevin Welch cover), Hard Livin’, Worry B Gone (Guy Clarke cover), What Are You Listening To?, Traveller, Whiskey and You, Arkansas, You Should Probably Leave, Midnight Train to Memphis (The Steel Drivers cover), Might as Well Get Stoned, Cold, Free Bird/The Devil Named Music, I Was Wrong, Joy of My Life, Fire Away, Broken Halos, Tennessee Whiskey (David Allan Coe cover).

  • GottaGetGon Festival to Return Labor Day Weekend

    The GottaGetGon Folk Music Festival is set to return to Saratoga Springs for the first time since 2019 this weekend from Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4.

    GottaGetGon festival poster.

    The festival, which since 1970 has been run as a public function of the Pickin’ & Singin’ Gatherin’, an Albany folk music club, is promoting the weekend as their 50th anniversary celebration, with the festival being put on ice during 2020 & 2021. It will feature concerts and a number of other festivities each day at the Saratoga County Fairgrounds in Ballston Spa.

    Performers of the weekend include Saro Lynch-Thomason, a ballad singer, folklorist, illustrator, author and social activist from Asheville, NC, Alex Cumming, an English singer, accordionist, pianist and dance caller based in Vermont, Coracree, a folk four-piece that mixes various European and American styles, and the Piedmont Blūz, a husband-wife acoustic duo that specializes in country blues.

    Other GottaGetGon festival events include a potluck dinner on Friday evening, a Saturday night family dance, musical workshops on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and an open mic event on Sunday.

    Food will be provided at the festival, and information regarding tickets, camping and more can be found on the Pickin’ & Singin’ Gatherin’ website.

  • Twiddle Announce Jam Packed Tour, with Shows in Port Chester

    Vermont-based jam band Twiddle announced a fall tour, with a lineup of artists including Of Good Nature, Dogs In A Pile, and Neighbor. There are multiple dates in Port Chester at the Capitol Theatre.

    twiddle tour

    The band includes Mihali Savoulidis [vocals, guitar], Ryan Dempsey [keys, organ, synth], Brook Jordan [drums], and Zdenek Gubb [bass]. They have 18 years of touring under their belt and are celebrating their fifth full-length album Every Last Leaf on this tour.

    The Twiddle tour features 23 shows in 19 cities, with two shows in Port Chester, with one show being their annual Frendsgiving celebration on Nov. 25 with support from Dogs In A Pile. The next day, they will have another show at the Capitol Theatre with support from Neighbor.

    Tickets for Twiddle’s Fall Tour are on sale now.

    Twiddle Fall 2022 Tour

    Oct. 25- Charlottesville, VA @ The Jefferson Theater *

    Oct. 26- Charlotte, NC @ The Underground

    Oct. 27- Live Oak, FL @ Suwannee Hulaween

    Oct. 28- New Orleans, LA @ Tipitina’s #

    Oct. 29- Tuscaloosa, AL @ Druid City Music Hall #

    Nov. 2- Fayetteville, AR @ George’s Majestic Lounge #

    Nov. 3- Dallas, TX @ Deep Ellum Art Co. #

    Nov. 4- Houston, TX @ Last Concert Cafe #

    Nov. 5- Austin, TX @ Mohawk Austin #

    Nov. 8- Omaha, NE @ The Waiting Room Lounge #

    Nov. 9- Minneapolis, MN @ Varsity Theater #

    Nov. 10- Chicago, IL @ Park West #

    Nov. 11- Covington, KY @ Madison Theater #

    Nov. 12- St. Louis, MO @ Delmar Hall #

    Nov. 25- Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre #

    Nov. 26- Port Chester, NY @ The Capitol Theatre =

    Dec. 6- Grand Rapids, MI @ Elevation =

    Dec. 7- Indianapolis, IN @ The Vogue Theatre =

    Dec. 8- Nashville, TN @ Brooklyn Bowl =

    Dec. 9- Atlanta, GA @ Variety Playhouse =

    Dec. 10- Asheville, NC @ Salvage Station *

    Dec. 16- Burlington, Vt @ Higher Ground

    Dec. 17- Burlington, Vt @ Higher Ground

    *Of Good Nature

    # Dog In A Pile

    = Neighbor

  • NY State Fair: Chevy Court Brings the Boogie with ‘The Jacksons’

    On Saturday, August 27, The Jacksons came to ‘Blame it on the Boogie’ at the Great New York State Fair. Including three of the brothers `Tito, Jackie and Marlon’ which had originated from ‘The Jackson 5’ after Michael Jackson passed away in 2009, the group had taken their last tour with all together back in 1984. It was truly an honor for them to continue to play music and live out Michael’s dream as well as their own.

    photo by Perri Sage

    The Jacksons are originally from Gary, Indiana, and today a family of pop culture royalty and a rare group to see live. The group toured much more back in the 1960s and 70s, and have had various concerts across New York. As of this year, the group have made a comeback, with a few more shows ahead of them to continue their 2022 tour, heading towards Montreal, Quebec for a performance on September 9.

    Jackie Jackson – photo by Perri Sage

    The Jacksons performed some of their top hits such as “Blame it on The Boogie”, “Shake Your Body” from their Destiny album released back in 1978. Their groove and funk really brought the crowd to a roar as “Can You Feel It” was performed. Not only did the brothers perform their own songs but managed to honor their brother Michael with a few of his hits, including an amazing performance of “Billie Jean” that took the fans from sitting to standing in seconds. 

    Tito Jackson – photo by Perri Sage

    A combination of contemporary soul, R&B, funk and groove, The Jacksons put on a fantastic show at ease. This was such a special evening for those who attended and more than a night to remember. With over 50 years performing, New York is ecstatic to see what comes next for The Jackson Family.

  • ADK Independence Music Festival Releases Schedule for Labor Day Weekend

    The Adirondack (ADK) Independence Music Festival is set to return for its seventh year this weekend from Friday, September 2 to Sunday, September 4.

    ADK independence music festival

    Taking place at the Charles R. Wood Festival Commons in Lake George, the event is headlined by moe., a Buffalo jam rock band whose 30+ year career includes spots opening for The Allman Brothers and The Who, as well as Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, a Maryland funk group. Pigeons Playing Ping Pong will close out Friday night with a two set performance and moe. will close out Saturday and Sunday night with a pair of two set performances of their own.

    Other noteworthy performers at ADK Independence Music Festival include the Ryan Montbleau Band, Austin rock group White Denim, and Boston jam band Dopapod. Singer-songwriter Hayley Jane will perform as an “artist at large,” appearing on stage with a number of different bands throughout the weekend.

    ADK independence music festival
    Performance schedule for the Adirondack Independence Music Festival.

    Gates at the Festival Commons will open at noon on Friday with music beginning at 1 p.m., while gates open at 11 a.m. Saturday and Sunday with music beginning at noon.

    Along with music, the event will feature a variety of food and craft vendors for those attending. Information regarding tickets and more can be found on the Adirondack Independence Music Festival website.